Blogs and Commentary

Morning Jac: Div. II's Own Black History Month

Prior to the start of the contest between Tusculum and
Lees-McRae on Wednesday, there will be a ceremony. Since it's the
first home game in the history of the Tusculum program, an honorary
faceoff will be staged featuring school president, Dr. Nancy Moody,
among others.

Shortly after that moment, a more intriguing event will
happen.

Tusculum coach Richard Carrington and Lees-McRae coach Darry
Thornton will stride toward each other and shake hands,
establishing the contest as the first-ever between two black head
coaches at the Division II level, and just the second known meeting
in NCAA men's lacrosse history.

It's a bittersweet moment for lacrosse.

That Carrington and Thornton are the faces of their respective
programs is certainly a big step forward for a sport that has been
working tirelessly at various levels in pursuit of diversity. On
the flip side, that this subject is even topical in the 21st
century raises a level of disappointment.

"It's something to reflect on," said Carrington, who has spent
the last 18 months getting Tusculum ready for this season. "It's
crazy to think that it's 2014 and this is one of the first times
that two African-American coaches are meeting. It's weird to think
about, I guess."

"The game is growing, but it's tough," Thornton said of the lack
of black coaches in lacrosse. "At the end of the day it doesn't
surprise me. That doesn't mean that it won't change in the future,
but it doesn't surprise me."

Both coaches love lacrosse and have found their calling in
it.

Darry
Thornton

Carrington has had stops at every collegiate level. Prior to
Tusculum, he was on the staff at Division I VMI and started the
program at Division II Chestnut Hill. He's had stops at Division
III Kenyon and Alvernia and was an assistant at his alma mater,
Division II Mars Hill.

Thornton arrived at Lees-McRae after a stint at Mohawk Valley in
the junior college ranks. Prior to that he started the men's and
women's programs at Mount St. Mary (N.Y.). It was there that he
coached against Penn State-Abington's Keith Brandon in what is
thought to be the first meeting of black coaches in NCAA men's
lacrosse competition in 2011. He also has been an assistant at
Oneonta State, where he graduated in '03, and Queens (N.C.).

With their extensive backgrounds, Carrington and Thornton also
are quick to point out what attracted them to the sport.

"It is a great avenue and it has afforded me a lot of
opportunities," Thornton said. "I've made some great relationships
that I wouldn't have otherwise."

"It's also pretty rewarding to be at this point with lacrosse,"
Carrington added. "Diversity in lacrosse has been something that
we're trying to push over the past 10 years or so, and it's
definitely improving. Throughout my career as a player and a coach,
I've always tried to be one of those guys who has been one of the
first black players or coaches to participate in a game, a team or
a league."

Are there answers to the diversity question? Addressing the
subject of race in sport, or any aspect of life, is a complex task
because there are many nuances. The same is true for lacrosse.
Accessibility has been one of the challenges -- whether it is field
space or equipment costs -- that is being tackled by numerous
lacrosse organizations, including US Lacrosse. The sport's national
governing body in January signed on as a charter member of the Urban Lacrosse Alliance, one of several
ongoing efforts in diversity and inclusion.

Carrington and Thornton point out that it's as much about
changing perceptions as handing out sticks.

"At the end of the day, we want to continue to grow the game and
make sure that as the game continues to grow that the black race
understands that this is a game for all races and all people,"
Carrington said. "The days of this being a prep school, northeast
sport -- that's done."

"Where I grew up at, it was tough because being
African-American, you get made fun of for playing what seen as, for
lack of a better term, 'a white boy sport,'" Thornton said. "In our
community, we erased that stigma. We need more Sam Bradmans and
Kyle Harrisons and Chazz Woodsons of the world. Until we change the
way we look at it and approach it, it won't change. And it starts
at home."

Exposure to the sport is critical. Thornton liked lacrosse, but
wasn't sure what it held for him until his high school coach told
him about Billy Daye, the former North Carolina and Major League
Lacrosse goalie who won an MLL title as the Boston Cannons' coach
in 2011. "It was one of those things where I said, 'Oh, there are
opportunities," Thornton said.

The new generation of black college and pro lacrosse stars will
continue to open eyes as they are seen more and more on screen.

"You're seeing more people getting involved and the television
exposure has certainly helped out a lot," Carrington said. "It's a
lot easier to wrap your head around lacrosse when you turn on ESPN
on a Saturday and watch a game as opposed to seeing it in passing
at a high school. You have that tangible piece where you can say,
'I can actually give this a try.'"

Wednesday's game won't instantaneously alter the lacrosse
demographics. Ultimately, it's a game between two coaches who want
to pick up an early-season win.

Race is an issue that will continue to be a topic of
conversation in our sport, and the more dialogue the better. On
Wednesday, it will be just part of the experience.

"I take more pride in the fact that through a lot of hard work
and mentorship that I've received throughout my career from several
coaches, I have the opportunity to be head coach at Tusculum,
because it's a special place," Carrington said. "I take a little
bit more pride with the ability to lead this team for the first
time. But there is certainly that little added factor that Darry
and I are representing African-Americans, as well."